Every Connection Matters

Spring 2024 | Eagles #40

2024 Academic Bowl photos courtesy of Gallaudet University Youth Programs Facebook page.

Live stage production provides a rich and multifaceted learning experience that can positively impact a student‘s personal and academic growth, outside of their social media platform and away from their phone! Being part of a theater production like The Emperor’s New Clothes helps student-actors enchase their communication skills; develop teamwork and collaboration skills; promote creativity and self-expression; think critically and build confidence; become culturally aware; and understand emotional intelligence."

—Merritt Holloway, Theater Director

The cast with interpreters

The cast with staff

Amy J. Novotny is a Minnesota native who has been involved in Deaf Education since she was 3 years old. She began as a student in a mainstream program in the Twin Cities. As a second grader, she transferred to Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf, becoming the third generation in her family to graduate from there. 

After earning her bachelor's degree, Amy pursued a Master's in Deaf Education, driven by her desire to make a significant impact in the field. Her career began in New Mexico, where she worked as an elementary teacher. After a year, she wanted to seek new challenges and opportunities for growth, so Amy then moved to Denver to join the Rocky Mountain Deaf School, a charter school located in the foothills of Denver, Colorado. 

At Rocky Mountain Deaf School, Amy wore many hats, starting as a teacher and later serving as a curriculum coordinator, principal, and eventually the director. Her leadership skills and dedication to enhancing educational experiences for Deaf students earned her the respect and admiration of her colleagues and the community. To further her administrative capabilities, Amy completed the Administration Leadership and Policy Studies program at Colorado University in Denver, obtaining her Administration License. 

After two decades of service at Rocky Mountain Deaf School, Amy felt it was time for a change and desired to be closer to her family. She moved to California to join the California School for the Deaf, where her sister works and her niece is a student. 

In her free time, Amy enjoys spending time with family and friends and especially exploring the great outdoors. She has a particular fondness for hiking, often accompanied by her beloved Australian shepherd, Summer. These outdoor adventures provide Amy with a sense of peace and fulfillment, balancing her professional responsibilities with personal joy. 

A Message from Amy

“As our team busily prepares for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, I am excited to share with you our new theme: Every Connection Matters. 

This theme shows our commitment to fostering a strong, inclusive community where every student learns, experiences and thrives, especially where every interaction is valued. It is my goal for us to focus on the opportunities to build, maintain and restore connections within the CSD campus and the broader community. Whether through academic collaborations, extracurricular activities or community engagement, every connection plays a vital role in our success. 

I am looking forward to seeing the many ways we will embody this theme in the year ahead. Together, we will elevate our connections on the campus and with the community. 

I look forward to welcoming you back for an exciting and connected new school year.”

Congratulations to our very own Sevan Ikeda for winning the silver medal in the men’s Youth 1500m final, representing the USA at the 2024 Taipei World Deaf Athletics Championships. See more

Sevan was also competitive in the adult competion.

See more photos of the volleyball team at Gallaudet Bison Instagram

California School for the Deaf is extremely proud of our assistant athletic director, Darriyan Thomas, for being one of the athletes on USA Deaf Volleyball Women's Indoor National Team, at the 2024 World Deaf Volleyball Championship, in Okinawa, Japan, who brought home the silver medal. Darriyan Thomas is a CSD alumna, class of 2014.

Citrine Lummer was also on the USA team that brought home the silver. Citrine is our PE & Athletics supervisor's niece. California School for the Deaf was lucky to have Citrine volunteer her time with our volleyball team last year during our fall sports camp.

Watch video of Hannah being introduced as the flag bearer at the 2024 World Deaf Athletic Championships, in Taipei.

Gallaudet University senior Hannah Wetzel (Fremont, Calif.), a member of the 2023-24 Bison women's track and field program, is one of many nominees for the 2024 NCAA Woman of the Year award.

Established in 1991, the award recognizes female student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves in their community, in athletics and in academics throughout their college careers.

See full story on Gallaudet University website

Exciting update on the CSD's highway destination sign bill

On July 18, 2024, the governor of California signed AB‑2367 into law, requiring highway destination signs to California Schools for the Deaf at both Fremont and Riverside campuses, as well as California School for the Blind. This effort was spearheaded by Molly Christensen's US government class and introduced to the state assembly by Assemblymember Alex Lee.

Read full story

Students learn Chinese calligraphy Special thanks to Joann Ikeda (school librarian) & Merry Zhou (artist & calligrapher)

We had a great opportunity to kick off Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a Chinese calligraphy activity. We invited Merry Zhou to teach us how to do Chinese calligraphy. Some of our elementary and middle school students participated in the activity. We learned how to hold the paint brush; stroke words; and paint either an orchid or a bamboo. We practiced several times on rice paper before painting on the formal Chinese art paper for the final product. We are so proud of our artwork and truly appreciate the art and the culture of Chinese calligraphy! 

Ricardo Cortez, the author of The ABC’s of Lowriding, was invited to California School for the Deaf to give a presentation entitled “What is a Lowrider?” He taught the students many things about lowrider culture.

Ricardo's book is filled with beautifully illustrated images that provide an awesome way to share lowrider culture with readers. Our Latino staff and students worked together to create a video in ASL about the book. The event wrapped up with a lowrider showcase featuring six amazing lowrider cars. Thanks to Maureen Klusza and her class for recording the event and creating a video. You can watch the videos below!

Courtesy of Len Gonzales, Dean of Student Life

The National Student Life for Deaf and Hard of Hearing organization asked the student life division at each Deaf school to join the, “We are Student Life staff of course...” video activity. Holly Bullard, one of our supervisors of residence programs, successfully rallied staff from various departments to participate, contributing to our student life’s collaborative spirit and representation of the project. You can find us at the beginning of the video!

The video, a testament to the essence of student life and its significance within the school community, results from our student life staff’s hard work and dedication. Kudos to Holly and all the staff who contributed to making it happen. Here’s our JOY in the video! 

California School for the Deaf student Nasya Solomon and her family have been featured in Edible East Bay, a quarterly magazine that celebrates the abundant local foods of Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The article makes for interesting reading about Nasya’s family and their restaurant. Read their story here

Courtesy of Len Gonzales, Dean of Student Life

On April 20, the first Deaf-led Holi “Festival of Colors” event was held at California School for the Deaf, on the football field, with nearly 200 people in attendance. The program included the meaning of Holi; water activities; Holi activities; Indian buffet-style food; DJ and music; photo booths; and sponsorship booths. It was perfect weather with the arrival of spring. The festival united people with camaraderie and goodwill.

Bay Area Asian Deaf Association president Wonha Park and his team led the event. We appreciate their partnership with our school. They did a fabulous job! Kudos to Biraj Jashnani, supervising counselor at California School for the Deaf, for being an excellent liaison with BAADA, helping to coordinate the Holi event.

Our residential elementary and middle school students were fortunate to participate in the Holi festival. What rich exposure for them! Holly Bullard, supervisor of CSD’s residence programs, provided great support behind the scenes. Staff in cottages 11, 13, and 17 ensured that our residential students could take part in this festival that was held over the weekend.

Additionally, the Holi festival would not have been possible without the assistance of CSD’s maintenance, groundkeepers, and custodians preparing the football field.

California School for the Deaf

39350 Gallaudet Drive, 

Fremont, CA 94538

(510) 794-3666

Meta Metal, Editor

Amy Novotny, School Superintendent